Server2012 lost admin privileges

CMcMaster 21 Reputation points
2021-02-12T00:10:55.44+00:00

I've lost all administrative privileges on the server2012 platform. I'm not sure how this happened, but I am unable to open the Dashboard, unable to open the registry, and also unable to make changes to the registry via the powershell program. I am (or was) an admin on the server, but not sure what happened now.

Any thoughts on how to fix this? I can't even open the C: Drive.

Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
1,526 questions
Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
12,083 questions
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Accepted answer
  1. Dave Patrick 426K Reputation points MVP
    2021-02-12T16:25:14.543+00:00

    Sounds like the OS is now badly broken for some reason. If you have no backups then it sounds like you may have to clean install it. Another option is to start a case here with product support.
    https://support.serviceshub.microsoft.com/supportforbusiness

    --please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

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14 additional answers

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  1. Dave Patrick 426K Reputation points MVP
    2021-02-12T00:13:39.213+00:00

    What is the result of?
    whoami /groups

    --please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

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  2. CMcMaster 21 Reputation points
    2021-02-12T05:14:09.807+00:00

    I really wish I had a better answer than "I don't know"
    A while back (few months) i had to do some folder permission duties for some of our server drives, but I don't recall if I was ever trying to get into the dashboard or anythwere else, other than the server drives.

    Other than that, I honestly can't think of when or why this would happen.

    Also, while versed in some aspects, i'm not well rounded in others. Was that whoami /groups meant to be input or guidance of some kind?


  3. Dave Patrick 426K Reputation points MVP
    2021-02-12T14:11:17.897+00:00

    Was that whoami /groups meant to be input or guidance of some kind?

    From an elevated cmd.exe session you can whoami /groups to see your group memberships.

    --please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

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  4. CMcMaster 21 Reputation points
    2021-02-12T15:49:20.097+00:00

    I cannnot run CMD as an administrator. I get the following message: "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

    When I run CMD normally, the line for Domain Admins shows "Group used for deny only"
    All other line items show "Mandatory group, Enabled by default, Enabled group"

    I can screenshot it here, if that helps too

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